Murder and Salutations (10 page)

We were just leaving the house when Barrett walked out of his apartment. He looked at us both before saying a word. Was that a touch of envy in his eyes? It was probably just my imagination, but I sincerely hoped not.

“
Evening,” he said.

“
Good-bye,” I countered, and Greg held the door open for me.

“
What was that all about?” he asked once I was safely in his vehicle.

“
Barrett has an overly generous opinion of his own charm,” I said.

Greg laughed, and I asked, “What’s so funny?”

“
I miss your wit, Jennifer,” he said.

“
You didn’t seem to miss it so much when you were dating Teresa Haywood.”

“
Hey, don’t forget, that was after you broke up with me.”

“
How long did you wait to ask her out? Ten minutes, or did you show remarkable restraint and wait for fifteen?”

“
As a matter of fact, Teresa asked me out. Is it my fault you were at Hurley’s the same night we were there?”

I laughed, remembering the look of abject discomfort that had been on Greg’s face that night. “You looked like a deer blinded by headlights. Whatever happened to Teresa?”

“
She moved to West Virginia,” he said.

“
You seem to have a difficult time keeping your women,” I said.

“
Funny, it never was a trend until you came along,” Greg said.

“
What can I say? I’m special that way.” As he drove us to the restaurant in his pickup truck, I said, “You know, we don’t have anything to prove tonight, and I know you can’t afford The Chateau. Why don’t we go to The Lunch Box and eat there instead?”

“
Are you kidding me? Savannah would never let you live it down that you were silly enough to go out with me again.”

I touched his arm lightly. “Then let’s go to Hurley’s. I agreed to this farce, but I’m not going to put you in debt on my account.”

“
I can cover it,” he said grimly. I knew how much his pottery shop made when the mass of tourists were one, and we’d all gone through a lean winter, with summer nearly there.

“
To be honest with you, I’d feel more comfortable at Hurley’s,” I said. “The Chateau is just a little too exclusive for my taste.”

“
Are you serious?” he asked.

“
I am. Greg, let’s at least have some fun, since this is the last time we’re doing this.”

Greg shrugged, then turned the truck around and headed for Hurley’s. As he drove, I said, “You can take your tie off, too. I know it’s got to be choking you.”

“
Come on, at least give me this much. Leave me with a little delusion that this night’s special.”

I said softly, “It is, because it’s the last time we’re going to do it. There’s no pressure tonight, no final farewells or anything so melodramatic. Let’s just be two old friends sharing a meal and some time together.”

He nodded. “I’ve got to admit that sounds wonderful.”

We parked in front of Hurley’s. Greg jumped out to open my door, but I was too quick for him. Before I could get out, he said, “You’re not playing fair. You never minded me opening doors for you before.”

“
Okay, I’ll let you win, but just this once.” I closed my door and waited for him to open it, but when nothing happened, I looked up to see him grinning at me. I was about to reach for the handle again when he popped my door open, and I barely managed not tumble out onto the curb.

“
You’re out of practice,” I said as I got out.

“
I guess my timing is a little off,” he said. “That’s the story of my life.”

We walked into Hurley’s, and I was surprised that the place was only half full. Jack was frowning at his reservation book when he spotted us.

“
We didn’t call ahead,” Greg said. “I hope you have room for us.”

“
You and a marching band,” Jack said. He took in our outfits, then added, “My, don’t you two look nice. Jennifer, if I weren’t married with a zoo of kids, I’d ask you out myself.”

“
But would I say yes?” I said, fighting a losing battle to hide my smile. It never failed. Every time I was around Jack Hurley, I felt like I was fifteen years old a freshman with a crush on a senior.

“
There’s no doubt in my mind, because I wouldn’t give up until you did.”

“
Hey, in case you weren’t sure, we’re on a date here.”

The tone of Greg’s voice surprised me. Had the banter made him jealous?

Jack said, “Sorry, we were just teasing,” as he led us to a table by the window, one of my favorite spots in the restaurant. “Beth will be serving you tonight, but in the meantime, can I get you something from the bar?’

After we ordered our drinks, Jack went away to, make them, but not before pausing long enough to wink at me. I just shook my head and smiled.

Greg asked, “What was that for?”

“
I just find it surreal being here with you tonight. So tell me about Stephanie,” I asked. “She seems nice, and she’s certainly pretty.”

“
Do we have to talk about her? I thought tonight was going to be about us.”

I looked at him, but it was difficult to read his expression in the dim light of the restaurant. “Okay, if it’s a stroll down memory lane you’re after, then I’m your gal.”

“
Jennifer, at least try to act like this was a good idea.”

I suppose I had been a little hard on him. After all, if I wasn’t prepared to be gracious about it, I never should have agreed to the evening out. I was still refusing to call it a date, even in my mind.

“
I’m sorry,” I said as I reached across the table to touch his hand. I’d done it with no conscious volition, just a habit resurfacing from the past, but I didn’t pull my hand away, and neither did Greg.

Jack slipped our drinks in front of us, then said, “Beth will be right with you.”

That broke the spell between us, and I picked up my drink and I started to take a sip.

Greg said, “Hang on a second. We should make a toast.”

“
Go ahead,” I said, still rattled by the spark of his touch.

“
To us,” he said simply.

I had no choice. “To us,” I echoed, and we both drank.

Beth showed up with the menus, and though she wore a simple black skirt and white blouse, her rainbow hair coloring diluted the attempt at creating a formal impression.

“
Would you like a second?” she said.

“
No, I think we’re ready to order,” Greg said. “Jen, do you still like steak?”

“
Slide one in front of me and we’ll see,” I said. Usually I hated it when men ordered for me, but I knew how much Greg liked to do it, so I let him.

After Beth left to place our order, I said, “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “Thanks for letting me order, and, thank you for coming tonight.”

“
It’s fun,” I admitted, then I said, “If you’ll excuse me for a second, I need to go to the ladies’ room.”

He stood as I did, and I was still laughing about his courtly manners when I walked toward the restroom.

I was nearly there when Jack approached. “Jennifer. I need to speak with you a second.”

“
Come on, you’re a happily married man and I’m out on a date. We can’t keep sneaking around like this,” I said with a smile.

“
This is serious. Someone outside needs to talk to you.”

I followed him through the kitchen and out toward the loading dock. Before I went outside, Jack put a hand on my arm. “I’ll be right here if you need me.’

“
What’s this all about?”

He shrugged, and, after a moment’s hesitation, I walked outside. I wasn’t sure who I expected to see but I was stunned nonetheless when Bailey stepped out of the shadows.

“
Jennifer, thank God you were here tonight. I’m in some serious trouble. You’ve got to help me.”

Chapter 9

I glanced over my shoulder to see if Jack was still there, but it was just the two of us standing in the dark. Great. My brother-in-law looked desperate, and, at that second, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was safe to be alone with him.

“
Bailey, what’s wrong?”

His gaze scanned the alley behind us as he spoke. “Somebody’s after me. That’s why I took off like I did. Jennifer, I think I know who killed Eliza.”

“
Tell me,” I said.

“
I’ve got a feeling that I’m not the only one Eliza’s been seeing lately. She told me something . . . No, I’d better not say it.”

“
Come on. I need to know, if I’m going to help you.”

Bailey seemed to consider it for a moment, then he said, “I can’t. It will be too dangerous for you if you know.”

“
Like I’m not in danger right now just standing here talking to you,” I said.

He ignored that completely, and I knew not to push him on it. After a second, Bailey said, “Sara Lynn must hate me. Does she know I took our emergency fund?”

“
You made it kind of obvious when you left every, light in the house on.”

Bailey stopped and stared at me. “Jennifer, when I left the house, it was completely dark.”

“
Then someone must have come in after you, and they didn’t mind if the world knew it.” I started looking out into the darkness myself. His paranoia whether real or imagined, was catching.

“
Oh, no, this is worse than I thought. I don’t know what to do. You’ve got to help me.”

“
What can I do?” I asked. “I make cards for a living. You need to talk to Bradford. He’ll know what to do.”

“
He’s never liked me,” Bailey said petulantly.

“
Even if you’re right, you’re still family. I’m going to call him.”

Bailey put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure?’’

“
Trust me.” I dialed Bradford’s number.

“
Sheriff,” he answered on the first ring.

“
Hey, it’s Jennifer.”

“
I thought you were out on a big date with Greg? Have you lost your mind, Sis?”

“
Bradford, shut up and listen to me. This is important.”

That certainly got his attention. “What is it?”

“
I’m at Hurley’s with Bailey. He says someone’s out to get him, and I believe him.”

Bradford’s voice was calm as he asked, “Is he armed? Is there anyone else around?”

“
What?” The questions didn’t make sense.

“
Jennifer, listen to me. I think he may have had something to do with Eliza’s murder. If you can get help without alarming him, do it. If not, find a way to mollify him until I get there.”

“
Okay,” I said, trying not to give anything away.

“
Don’t hang up. I need you to stay on the line so I know you’re okay.”

“
We’ll be waiting right here. I’ll see you in a minute.” Despite my brother’s protests, I hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe Bailey had anything to do with the murder, so I didn’t want to give Bradford the chance to hang him based on something Bailey said when he didn’t know my brother was listening in on our conversation.

“
What did he say?” Bailey asked as I closed my flip phone. “Did he believe you? He didn’t ask you any questions.”

I’d never seen him so agitated. “Take it easy. He’s coming here to help.”

“
I don’t know. I think this is a mistake.”

The next thing I heard was an explosion as a bullet ripped into the loading dock door behind us. The shot had gone between us, and I could swear I’d heard it whizzing through the air before I ever heard the gun’s report. A second shot ripped the air above us, but by that time Bailey had tackled me to the dock and rolled us both off the platform onto the asphalt below. I was still trying to get my bearings when the restaurant door above me flew open.

My brother screamed, “Jennifer! Are you all right?”

“
Get down,” I shouted. “Somebody’s shooting at us.”

Bradford hopped down to the ground beside me and asked, “Where’s Bailey?”

It wasn’t until then that I realized my brother-in-law was gone.

“
I don’t know,” I said. “He was just here.”

“
Take it easy. Were you hit?”

“
I don’t think so,” I said as I searched my body for pain. I’d twisted my wrist in the fall, ruined a pair of brand-new pantyhose and wrecked my dress beyond salvation, but other than that, I was fine. “I’m okay.”

“
Good,” he said as he patted my shoulder. Then he spoke into the mike hanging from his belt. “We’ve got an active shooter in the back of Hurley’s. I need everybody here in two minutes with your lights on, and your sirens blazing.”

“
What happened to those fancy codes you always use?” I asked after he was finished.

I could see a slight grin on Bradford’s face. “I forgot to use them in all the excitement. That alone should get everybody’s attention.”

I stared out into the night. My eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, and I searched the shadows for the shooter or Bailey. I couldn’t see any other signs of life, but that didn’t mean nobody else was out there.

“
Why doesn’t Jack turn the outside light on?” I asked. “Maybe we could see something then.”

“
And so could the shooter,” Bradford said. “I told him not to.”

I remembered the bullet hitting the door where Jack was waiting. “Is he all right? That first shot didn’t hit him, did it?”

“
He’s fine. The thick wood of the door stopped the shot.”

I was suddenly blinded as the first squad car pulled, into the alley behind the restaurant. I was still trying to get my vision back when I heard more cars join us along with the different squeal of an ambulance.

“
Bradford, was someone hit? Why is an ambulance coming?”

“
It’s for you, Jennifer.”

I started to stand and felt my knees give out on me. Luckily my big brother was there to catch me. “I don’t need an ambulance,” I protested.

“
Well, you’re getting one, anyway. I’m not taking any chances with you.”

I started to protest when he held up a hand. “Jennifer, there are a couple of reasons we’re going to do this my way. I want to be sure you’re all right, and I also want the shooter to think he hit one of you. If he’s cocky, maybe he’ll slip up. So if you’re not willing to ride in the ambulance for yourself, do it for Bailey.”

I wanted to argue with him, but I couldn’t. I drew the line at allowing them to strap me to a gurney, though. Unfortunately, nobody listened to my protests, and I was strapped onto one like a lunatic, not able to move my arms or my legs. We were just about at the hospital when I remembered Greg. If nobody told him what had happened, I had a feeling he’d be under the impression I’d walked out on him. What a perfect ending to our long and troubled relationship.

Two hours later, I was back at the front door to my apartment. There was a wrap on my wrist, but other than that, I was as fit as I’d been before I’d taken that tumble. Thank goodness the loading dock was only a few feet above the pavement, or I might have been in some serious trouble. Bradford met me at the discharge desk and insisted on driving me home. My wrist was a little stiff, and I knew it would be even worse the next day.

To my surprise, Lillian was waiting for me inside my apartment.

“
What are you doing here?” I asked her as Bradford led me in.

“
Somebody had to feed your cats,” she said.

“
Did they cadge another meal out of you? I fed them before I left.”

Lillian sputtered, “But they acted so hungry when I came in, and this one kept mewing under the cabinet where you keep your cat food.”

I picked Oggie up gingerly and said, “You should be in the movies, you’re such a ham. I hope you’re happy. You’re getting fat, you know that, don’t you?

He offered me a brief mew, but he was too stuffed to squirm out of my arms. “Go on, you lunatic,” I said as I put him down.

As he walked slowly off, Lillian asked Bradford, “Did she hit her head when she fell?”

“
Not that the doctors could tell. Why?”

“
I just don’t think it’s normal having a conversation with a cat. Of course she did the same thing before, tonight, but I was still hoping they’d be able to do something for her.”

“
You’re too funny,” I said. “Thanks for coming, but I don’t need a welcoming committee.” As I looked, around the apartment, I noticed that my neat piles; were gone, and in their places were boxes, all labeled and sealed. “What happened here?”

Lillian looked sheepish. “Sara Lynn and I packed for you tonight. It was supposed to be a surprise. Surprise.”

I’d deal with their invasion of my privacy later. “Where is she?”

Lillian said, “She’s back at her place. After we heard what happened with Bailey, she insisted she had to go home in case he needed her. I tried to tell her that was the worst possible thing she could do, but she didn’t listen to me. What a shocker.”

I grabbed Bradford’s arm with my good hand “You’ve got to get someone over there. She could be, in danger.”

“
Don’t worry, Sis, I’ve got it covered. Lillian called me, and I sent Jody with Sara Lynn. The patrol car’s in the driveway and he’s sitting inside with her on my orders.”

“
Do you really think Bailey will show up with that kind of greeting?”

My brother snorted. “I don’t think he’s coming at all. He’d better not show his face around here. I may not wait for the judge to take care of his punishment.”

“
You honestly think he killed Eliza?” I asked.

“
I’m not talking about that,” Bradford snapped. “The fool put you in jeopardy, and then when trouble started, he left you there alone. I could kill him myself w right now for that.”

I touched my brother’s arm lightly. “Bradford, don’t forget, he saved me when he knocked me down. And how do you know he didn’t go after the shooter when he disappeared?” I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened myself, but I had to plant at least a little suspicion in my brother’s mind that Bailey had done the right thing.

“
He still shouldn’t have involved you in this,” Bradford said stubbornly.

“
He was desperate. Bailey swore that someone was after him.”

Lillian scoffed. “He’s a delusional paranoid. The man never was all that stable.”

“
Then who shot at us?” I asked.

My aunt didn’t have an answer for that. Bradford ha said sternly, “If he ever shows up again, call me and then get away from him as fast as you can.”

“
Isn’t that what I did tonight?” I asked.

Bradford shrugged, then looked at my couch. “I’m sleeping here tonight.”

“
I’ll be fine,” I said, lied “You sure will be, because I’m not leaving. Whoever took those shots at you might come back.”

“
They were shooting at Bailey,” I said.

“
How can you be so sure about that?” he asked.

For once, I didn’t have a reply. Was it possible that I’d agitated someone enough to make them want me dead? Sure, I’d asked some questions, even pushed a few people for their alibis, but Lillian had been more active than I had and no one was coming after her.

“
Those bullets had to be meant for Bailey.”

“
Most likely you’re right, but we can’t be too careful. Do you still have that sleeping bag in your closet?”

I nodded, and he headed to my bedroom to get it “You can’t babysit me around the clock,” I called out.

Lillian smiled and said softly, “Let him think he’s helping, Jennifer. He must feel terrible that he couldn’t protect you tonight.”

“
How could he have possibly done anything to stop what happened at the restaurant?” I asked.

“
He couldn’t. That’s the point. He’s always watched out for you, and right now he feels he failed you.”

My brother came out with my sleeping bag. “This is perfect,” he said as he unrolled it on the couch.

“
Shouldn’t you tell Cindy you won’t be home tonight?” If I couldn’t convince him to go home, perhaps his wife could.

“
Are you kidding me? It was her idea. She says I’ve been snoring too much lately, and she needs her rest.”

“
Fine, but if you wake me up, I’m pouring a bucket of water on you. It worked in third grade, and I’m willing to bet it will work again.” I’d doused him once when we were kids, and though I could tell my folks
approved of my intentions, they grounded me for a week nonetheless.